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Original poster

Twice weekly lateral flow tests for households of school pupils

305 replies

SingANewSongChickenTikka · 28/02/2021 08:45

This seems a brilliant step forward, twice weekly lateral flow tests for households and bubbles of school staff and school pupils. Posted or ‘click and collect’. Yes the lateral flow tests have their limitations, but it still should help I think.

www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff

OP posts:
ChameleonClara · 01/03/2021 20:56

I know I am awfully cynical but are the tests close to expiry date or something? They do seem to have suddenly decided to dish them all out very rapidly.

NotSorry · 01/03/2021 21:00

@ChameleonClara

I know I am awfully cynical but are the tests close to expiry date or something? They do seem to have suddenly decided to dish them all out very rapidly.
No, I practiced on one at school today - not close to expiry date at all

They’ve not publicised very well, which is a bit daft, but I don’t think there is any hidden agenda

omygoditsearly · 01/03/2021 21:04

Brilliant idea! No one step is perfect so its s shame people want to moan about everything, still if it brightens your day crack onGrin

Frazzled2207 · 01/03/2021 21:27

@ChameleonClara

I know I am awfully cynical but are the tests close to expiry date or something? They do seem to have suddenly decided to dish them all out very rapidly.
well yes but it's not very well publicised at all. I suspect they have a lot of them available and it's a bit of extra reassurance to parents. If they really thought it would make a difference and if they really did have LOADS, surely it would be better publicised.

I have heard on twitter (so can't guarantee that it's true) that there is a newer much more accurate similar type test turning up soon that could be widespread for concerts etc in the summer. Takes only 5 minutes. Best find a way to use these up in the meantime

MrsHerculePoirot · 01/03/2021 22:43

@ThereWillBeSun I don’t think it has ever said year 1 (or any primary age students) to be tested? The document was only released on Saturday and you can check the site for the updates. Perhaps you misread it?

@ChameleonClara
My take is they’ve got loads to get rid of, and they know they’re not great so they’re sending them to schools and households and everyone to use them up and to shut up school staff and unions! How ever I do concede they might pick up something which is better than nothing... I reckon they will see how many are left at Easter and if not a lot they’ll stop all the testing and if loads keep it going. With the relevant PR spin of course....

Northernsoulgirl45 · 02/03/2021 07:52

Ordered mine

Whatever9999 · 02/03/2021 13:02

@ThereWillBeSun

7 in total. Two at secondary who will get tested, two adults, three primary school age- and it said you're eligible from year one upwards, but that's not on the website now.

Still, 7 tests is less than two weeks even for just the adults- the boxes of 28 make far more sense and it seems a waste of postage to have to keep ordering.

They are in boxes of 7 because they then fit through the letterbox, you don't need to be in to get them and also probably cheaper for postage than a larger box. Just order more than one time, I was asked to test the ordering system. I ordered one box of 7 for myself at the weekend and then another box for my partner yesterday. I'll probably re-order as I finish each box, they arrive in the next day's post.
JS87 · 02/03/2021 13:32

We have a covid facility testing near us. Can we just walk in and pick them up? gov.uk seems to suggest we can and they prefer you to collect them if you can to save postal ones for those who can't access a site.
There doesn't seem to be a way to book a collection.

Frazzled2207 · 02/03/2021 13:34

If it’s mentioned as a pick up area on that link then I think you can. I don’t think you can at all testing sites.

TiddleTaddleTat · 02/03/2021 13:42

DH tried our local pick up listed on that gov link (Tesco's car park) and there was nothing there and Tesco's staff had no idea!

Arcadia · 02/03/2021 13:44

@JS87 at mine I just turned up and got them. No ID, nothing.
Weirdly the place I went yesterday is no longer appearing on that map??

Luckyrabbitfoot · 02/03/2021 13:49

Ours arrived today. My DD is 6, year one. Can I use them on her too? If so, can I just do her nostrils or will that not work?

JS87 · 02/03/2021 13:49

[quote Arcadia]@JS87 at mine I just turned up and got them. No ID, nothing.
Weirdly the place I went yesterday is no longer appearing on that map?? [/quote]
Thanks. I'll give it a try. Maybe they've run out so they've removed from the map until they get more???

PickAChew · 02/03/2021 14:27

You get the full swab, dip and dab kit for at home. The instructions are in the box and are clear, if lengthy.

Just done my first one.

If you're not near a collection point, it's a box through your letterbox, c/o royal mail. Ordered yesterday, arrived this morning with an sms to let me know it was due.

Frazzled2207 · 02/03/2021 15:44

mine just turned up. Nice neat box which goes through letterbox so it makes sense IMO to send one batch rather than several, which would potentially be undelivered and thus clog up the royal mail unnecessarily.

Frazzled2207 · 02/03/2021 15:50

@Luckyrabbitfoot

Ours arrived today. My DD is 6, year one. Can I use them on her too? If so, can I just do her nostrils or will that not work?
nothing stopping you trying it on her if she's willing. I can't face going near my 6 year old with them however (he's had them before). Not sure about nostrils but my other son who's had loads much prefers throat to nostrils for some reason.
NotSorry · 02/03/2021 16:02

@Luckyrabbitfoot

Ours arrived today. My DD is 6, year one. Can I use them on her too? If so, can I just do her nostrils or will that not work?
I went for my training on these yesterday. We were told if any child really can't do their throat (gagging, vomiting etc.) then do both nostrils instead.

@Arcadia my local centres have also disappeared from the map since yesterday. The nearest one is a good 10 miles away. I ordered them by post yesterday and they arrived today

Arcadia · 02/03/2021 21:00

@NotSorry even though the local one disappeared off the map I know two people who were able to go and collect tests there today so not sure what is going on!

StarCat2020 · 03/03/2021 05:55

I know I am awfully cynical but are the tests close to expiry date or something? They do seem to have suddenly decided to dish them all out very rapidly
It seems that the Government loads of these tests
www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n287

StarCat2020 · 03/03/2021 06:00

And
www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4916

beenrumbled · 03/03/2021 08:04

The centre I planned to go to has been removed from the map too.

They have put a different one on with shorter opening times. Hmm

NotDonna · 03/03/2021 08:28

The ones I have expire April 2023.

Frazzled2207 · 03/03/2021 09:29

So do mine
I have a question. So we’re supposed to upload results. I def will if I get a positive. What’s the value in bothering if I get a negative which hopefully I will every time? Is it to help the government’s % fig of negative tests? Or to record how many of them are actually being used?
I struggle to believe that everyone using these regularly is bothering every time. Happy to be corrected.

Frazzled2207 · 03/03/2021 09:31

[quote Arcadia]@NotSorry even though the local one disappeared off the map I know two people who were able to go and collect tests there today so not sure what is going on! [/quote]
Might be worried about crowds turning up is my guess. We have two boxes arrived by post now- for me and husband. Fairly impressed by the efficiency.

DumplingsAndStew · 03/03/2021 10:00

@Frazzled2207

So do mine I have a question. So we’re supposed to upload results. I def will if I get a positive. What’s the value in bothering if I get a negative which hopefully I will every time? Is it to help the government’s % fig of negative tests? Or to record how many of them are actually being used? I struggle to believe that everyone using these regularly is bothering every time. Happy to be corrected.
Am doing twice-weekly LFD tests for my teenage DC who is in school part time. Always upload test results.
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